10 Ways You Can Donate To Smoky Mountains Wildfire Relief Efforts
We’ve been asked by friends from near and far how they can help, so we’ve compiled a list of 10 Ways You Can Donate to Smoky Mountains Wildfire Relief Efforts. The outpouring of love and generosity has been overwhelming during this past week of crisis on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Countless wonderful folks from across the country have volunteered, made donations, and prayed hard for the people here in the Great Smoky Mountains. Mere words cannot express the gratitude of the citizens of Sevier County, TN to each and every one of you. HeySmokies is confident the donations to these organizations listed below will remain in the local community and with those in need.
1. SEVIER COUNTY DISASTER RECOVERY VOLUNTEER RECEPTION CENTER by VOLUNTEER EAST TENNESSEE
All volunteer rebuilding efforts, long-term and short-term, are being coordinated through the non-profit Volunteer East Tennessee. Any person or group coming locally or nationally will need to visit the Sevier County Disaster Recovery Volunteer Reception Center located at 1304 Parkway in Sevierville (old theater building at intersection of Cate Road and Parkway). The center is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Walk-in volunteers are welcome. The center needs about 800 volunteers each day over the next three days to help assist with warehousing because the county had been overwhelmed with donations. Even more volunteers will be needed when the City of Gatlinburg reopens on Friday. The national non-profit, All Hands will be leading cleanup teams beginning Friday, December 9, 2016. Those wishing to help in rebuilding efforts, please visit www.volunteerETN.org to sign up for a volunteer shift.
2. MY PEOPLE FUND by THE DOLLYWOOD COMPANY & THE DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION
This fund was established by Dolly Parton and her partners to assist Sevier County families who’ve lost their homes in the wildfires. The My People Fund will provide $1,000 each month for up to six months to help these families recover and rebuild their lives. Currently, Dolly Parton’s global popularity has raised over $1 million for the fund; however, as Dolly says she likes to dream big and this is a big dream and they still need your help. Contributions to the My People Fund can be made at dollywoodfoundation.org.
3. GATLINBURG RELIEF FUND by GATLINBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
This fund will directly benefit families and businesses affected by the wildfire event. The Gatlinburg Relief Fund is being managed by SmartBank, a community bank based in East Tennessee. Donations can be made online at www.SmartBank.com. Donations may also be mailed to: Gatlinburg Relief Fund c/o SmartBank, P.O. Box 1910, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868-1910. Checks should be made payable to “Gatlinburg Relief Fund.”
4. SEVIER COUNTY FIRE RELIEF FUND by CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK
This fund is managed by another local, community bank to benefit citizens of Sevier County in the wake of the wildfire tragedy. Donations can be mailed to Citizens National Bank c/o Sevier County Fire Relief Fund, 200 Forks of the River Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862. Please make checks payable to “Sevier County Fire Relief Fund. The bank is currently capable of taking online donations.
5. IN-KIND DONATIONS TO THE PIGEON FORGE DISTRIBUTION CENTER
The Pigeon Forge Distribution Center is located at 149 Cates Lane; it’s the former site of Boyds Bear Country. The distribution facility has been overwhelmed by the generosity of donations and at this time asks for specifically needed items since the three-story facility is near capacity. Items that are currently needed are: peanut butter, newborn formula, breast-feeding supplies, new underwear, new socks, gas cards, and gift cards. Some items are expensive to replace such as medications and baby items, so gift cards allow the recipient to purchase their most-needed personal items. Please call 865-804-1658 to schedule a delivery to the center. Deliveries of water can be scheduled at 865-368-9013. To volunteer at the Pigeon Forge Distribution Center, visit VolunteerTN.org.
6. FIRE RESCUE HOPE CHALLENGE by SMOKY MOUNTAIN AREA RESCUE MINISTRIES (SMARM)
Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries and a very generous Sevier County family have issued a $30,000 matching funds challenge to help raise money for those displaced by the recent wildfire tragedy. SMARM is known and loved by locals for their good works like providing short-term housing, utility assistance, transportation, food and clothing to individuals and families in need. Additionally, they provide mentoring and permanent housing resources to help families move from crisis to stability. Donations to the Fire Rescue Hope Challenge can be made at www.SMARM.org.
7. SEVIER COUNTY FOOD MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY
Sevier County Food Ministries can serve 300 to 600 families on any given day. During a crisis or bad weather those numbers grow. Sevier County Food Ministries is another beloved, local organization who works miracles every day and can always use your help. It’s worth noting that many families in Sevier County affected by the wildfires are not property owners. Many are renters with no renter’s insurance working hourly jobs in the service industry. The need for these citizens will be great in the coming months and they will likely utilize this food pantry more than ever. For donations, please visit www.seviercountyfoodministries.org.
8. SEVIER COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY FIRE RELIEF FUND
The Sevier County Humane Society had to evacuate their facility and have been temporarily set up at the Sevier County Fairgrounds in Sevierville this past week. All while taking care of injured and lost animals affected by the wildfire and trying to reunite pets with owners. Donate to the Sevier County Humane Society Fire Relief Fund by visiting hwww.youcaring.com/seviercountyhumanesociety.
9. FRIENDS OF THE SMOKIES
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is the most visited park in the nation with 10 million visitors annually. Unlike other national parks, it does not have an entrance fee; it’s free for all to enjoy. Friends of the Smokies provides an important role in making up the difference for those lost funds and raises money for critical projects and programs including wildlife management, historic preservation, and the Parks as Classrooms Programs. Friends of the Smokies gives more than $1 million a year to the park. Donations during this time will go towards immediate emergency relief efforts. Donation can be made online at www.friendsofhesmokies.org or call 865-932-4794 or mail to: Friends of the Smokies, P.O. Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764.
10. SANTA FUND DISASTER ASSISTANCE by THE MOUNTAIN PRESS NEWSPAPER
The Santa Fund in years past has been used to give local senior citizens and local Boys & Girls Clubs a merrier Christmas; however this year, it’s been expanded to include those who’ve lost their primary residence or who are out of work as a result of the recent wildfires. The Santa Fund is managed by the Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority who is responsible for distributing the donations. Donations can be mailed to: The Mountain Press c/o Santa Fund Disaster Assistance, 119 Riverbend Drive, Sevierville, TN 37876. Please make checks payable to “Santa Fund Disaster Assistance.”
AND ONE MORE WAY TO HELP – COME VISIT!
Many areas were unharmed by wildfires and we still need you to come visit and support our businesses. Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Townsend, Cosby…they’re all waiting for you! Our local economy is completely based on tourism, so if you’re not here, we’re not working…and we want to see all of your smiling faces having fun in our beautiful neck of the woods!
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office advises donors to be diligent and smart about contributions so that recovery efforts may be maximized. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office offers a website to look up information about various charities and solicitors at sos.tn.gov/charitable. You may also call the Tennessee Secretary of State office at 800-861-7393 or 615-741-2555.
